Vernon “Vern” H. Steffes

Vernon “Vern” H. Steffes, age 76, of St. Peter, passed away Friday morning, November 3, 2023. He died of complications from Lewy Body Dementia, which was a result of agent orange exposure in the Vietnam War.

Vern was born to Leo and Katherine (Morgan) Steffes on January 16, 1947, the youngest of nine children. He spent his childhood attending St. Joseph Catholic School and working on his family farm in St. Joe. He graduated from New Holstein High School.

Vernon was drafted into military service for the United States Army in 1966. He served diligently in the Vietnam War as a member of the US Army 9th Division. During his service he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism.

He met and married the love of his life, Gail Lornson and celebrated 53 years of marriage. Together they made a life on the Steffes family farm, before building their forever home with their own hands. There they raised their two sons, Scott and Greg.

Vern was a loving husband and diligent father. He served as a Cub Scout leader and baseball coach, and taught his sons many lifelong skills.

Vern worked most of his life in construction. While working, Vern attended Moraine Park Technical College and earned an Associate Degree as an Electro-Mechanical Technician. His construction work went beyond the duties of his job, as he was always willing to lend a hand on a project for friends or family. He finished his career working at Wisconsin Resource Center.

Vern was delighted with a new endeavor later in life, becoming a grandfather. Vern loved watching all of his grandchildren learn and grow, and attended many of their athletic and musical events to watch them.

Over the years Vern enjoyed traveling with his family, woodworking, cooking, yard work, and always kept busy. He took part in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. to pay respects to his lost comrades.

Vern is survived by his wife, Gail; sons, Scott (Cheryl) Steffes and Greg (Linda) Steffes; grandchildren, Alex (fiancée Alle Krug) Phillips, Evelyn and Vaughn Steffes; siblings, Dolores Petrie, Pat Birschbach, Judy Zingsheim, and Joseph (Raye) Steffes; sisters-in-law, Judy Lornson and Joan Steffes; friend of the family, Gene Burg; and many nieces and nephews.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Katherine Steffes; his wife’s parents, Gordon and Evelyn Lornson; siblings, Eugene (Donna) Steffes, Sylvin Steffes, Donald Steffes, and Mary Ann (Eugene) Birschbach; brothers-in-law, Elmer Petrie, Henry Birschbach, and Ed Zingsheim.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac.

Visitation will take place from 9:00-11:00AM at church prior to the service.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to Deb from Comfort Keepers, the VA hospital in Madison, the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, and Theda Care Hospice for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to Wisconsin Veterans Home at King or another local veterans organization.